The Calendula Flower, better known as the Marigold is an herbal gem. This herb is so powerful yet so gentle at the same time. As I continue to study this brightly colored flower, I discover how this can help my husband. He recently cut the top of his finger off while working and has been slowly healing the last couple of weeks. I had no idea the benefits Calendula had that can help speed his healing process up and even help reduce scarring! Read on for some great information that could possibly help you or a family member.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), the pot marigold, is a great herb for skin care, and has perhaps the longest history of use of any herb in skin care.

Calendula has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, antifungal, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties making it useful for disinfecting and treating minor wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, scrapes, chapped or chafed skin, bruises, burns, athlete’s foot, acne, yeast infections, bee stings, diaper rashes, and other minor irritations and infections of the skin. Plus, it stimulates the production of collagen at wound sites to help minimize scarring and assist with stretch marks. This versatile botanical can be incorporated into baths, creams, compresses, washes, salves, ointments, massage oils, baths, facial steams, tinctures, and teas. It is also gentle enough to use for babies, children, or animals. Internally, gargling with Calendula infused water may ease a sore throat, sores in the mouth, and inflammations in the mouth and throat.

Not only is Calendula a wonderful healing and medicinal herb, but it is also a lovely and useful plant in the garden! Calendula repels many common garden pests including aphids, eelworms, asparagus beetles, and tomato hornworms, and is a companion plant for potatoes, beans, and lettuce. Plus, it grows quickly and is easy to cultivate from seed.

Calendula is safe for children and animals. It is wonderfully gentle and powerful. If I am dealing with a skin issue, calendula is one of my go-to herbs.

Dry Skin

Calendula is an emollient and can help to moisturize dry skin. It also contains carotenoids which nourish the skin.

Scars and Varicose Veins

A calendula wash is used for healing scars, thread veins and soothing varicose veins. Thread veins are tiny, broken veins on the face.

To make a wash: steep leaves in water for 20 minutes to 3 hours. Strain. Pat on face, keep on for at least 20 minutes and gently wash off.

An alternative to this (and potentially easier and more enjoyable way) is to make a strong tea of 1 tablespoon per cup of water, strain and add the tea to a bath. Soak in the bath for a 20 to 30 minutes minimum.

Calendula as Antiseptic

It has antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it useful for salves and balms for cuts, wounds and for healing piercings. Any other lacerations, hang nails, bedsores, irritated rashes will benefit from using calendula.

Prevention of Dermatitis

Calendula ointment has also been used to decrease dermatitis following skin irradiation for breast cancer. To use for protection from environmental stressors, apply a calendula salve before and after the stress. Harness the uses of calendula for skin by making your own salve.

Wound Healing Activity of Calendula for Skin

Calendula is probably best used for chapped and otherwise irritated skin. The oil soluble components including the essential oil seem especially good at stimulating wound healing. Scientific studies find that extracts of calendula can speed the healing of skin wounds and burns. Perhaps the most common and therapeutic uses of calendula for skin is for healing wounds.

Using calendula increases both wound closure (very important in wound healing) and protein metabolism (forming new skin). For healing wounds, a daily application of calendula extract or calendula cream is used.

For slowly healing wounds and amputation stumps, one study showed that wound granulation appeared within several days of initiating treatment and secondary skin developed within 10 to 14 days. Using calendula ointment also reduced discomfort during dressing changes. For slowly healing wounds, apply calendula salve twice daily.

Calendula speeds up cell proliferation which quickens healing. It also keeps wounds from hardening and forming scars. It would be beneficial to use for healing the perineum after childbirth.

It helps to heal burns (including sunburn), bruises and inflammatory diseases of the skin.

Do you have Calendal/Marigold growing in your yard? Have you ever used Calendula to help you? How?